The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : High Court moved against social boycott

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Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

High Court moved against social boycott

Staff Reporter

Judge dismisses petition saying there is no need to interfere with district court order

BANGALORE: A resident of Tadakada Honnali village in Dharwad district has petitioned the Karnataka High Court against social boycott of him and his family members by other villagers.

The villager, Adibeppa Hebbali, said he had been staying in the village in Kalghatgi taluk for several years along with his family members. He said he was beaten up by Devendrappa and other villagers following a petty quarrel on January 15, 1998.

Hebbali said Devandrappa threatened him and abused him by his caste name. He said he belonged to the Valmiki community, which is classified as a Scheduled Caste (SC) tribe. He said he filed a complaint before the Kalghatgi police before he was shifted to KMC Hospital in Hubli for treatment. He said he then filed a private complaint before the District and Sessions Judge, Dharwad. The complaint was referred to the Deputy Superintendent of Police for investigation. Subsequently, charge-sheets were filed against Devandrappa and 18 villagers.

Hebbali said he had to flee the village along with his family fearing social boycott and as he apprehended danger to his life. He said after he left the village, there was nobody to look after his house, agricultural lands and provision store which he owned. The agricultural land he owned soon became fallow and the house came to be damaged. The provision store was looted. Anguished by the turn of events, Hebbali said he made a representation to the District Social Welfare Officer for grant of compensation for the loss of his property. The officer, he said, sanctioned him only Rs. 6,250 as compensation under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (PA) Act.

He said he gave a representation to the Deputy Commissioner to enhance the compensation. However, the compensation was not paid as the 18 persons, including Devandrappa, who had beaten him up, were acquitted of all charges.

Justice K. Bhaktavatsala dismissed the petition, saying that there is no need to interfere with the order of the District Judge.

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